Dortlin's good eye darted to the next door over. Taking a quick step in that direction he jerked the door open and peered into the room, spotting what he was looking for he turned to the other men. "See if you can't get that door open, I'll try to climb 'round."

With that he plunged into the room, moving quickly he spotted another window closer to his destination and veered off in that direction. Dortlin threw it open and poked his head out to examine the difficulty of the climb. Satisfied that he could do it, he paused a moment to adjust the simple, well-used knife in his belt so he could reach it easily and then climbed out the window.

Assume that Dortlin is taking 10 unless otherwise becomes necessary. His climb check is +7, feel free to roll for me should it become necessary. He'll do his best to quickly work his way around to the nearest window see to get a look and assess the situation.

With a practiced urgency, you move out of the window and onto the thin ledge running the length of the manor. With your dagger in your teeth, you work your way around the house, making it to the adjacent window with very little effort. When you look in the window, your heart stops slightly.

Beyond, you see Tharnik doubled over in pain. He's pressing his body up against the door, using a dresser and several other pieces of furniture to impede entry into the room. But there's something different about Tharnik, as well. His eyes are glowing red with a feral light and he seems to be changing into ....something else.

Creel, Rendel:

Even with your combined effort, you are unable to bring the door down. It is a valiant effort and you are sure that it would only take a few more attempts to gain entry. The door feels as if the whole room is pressed against it.

Vaghn watches the men fail to break down the door and curses under his breath.

If you will allow me, gentlemen, I might be able to... ease... things.

So saying he draws a tiny oilcloth bag from a larger pouch on his belt and squeezes from it a drop of oil onto his fingers. At the same time he moves forward, muttering arcane phrases, and peers through the keyhole...

As he looked in Dortlin could feel his heart quicken and a cold sweat break out across his body. He seemed to deliberate a long moment before steeling himself and carefully slipping the sharp blade back into his belt and, clinging tightly to the latticework with his left hand, fished around in pouch at his side for something with the right. A second later his fingers wrapped around the small but heavy implement of lead and leather. Drawing the sap silently he lifted it to his mouth and grasped the wrist strap in his teeth so both hands were free and made ready to enter.

Is Tharnik sufficiently distracted by the pain he's in/looking elsewhere that Dortlin might feasibly be able to slip in unnoticed. Is the window such that it can be opened from the outside. Is Tharnik armed or in easy reach of a weapon?

The window you are looking through is closed and locked, as per the efforts of your allies a few nights back. Tharnik does not look to be close to a weapon, although he does appear to be growing claws. His body is also sprouting tuffs of gray and white hair and His nose is elongating into a snout. He's growing fangs, as well. He looks to be in a lot of pain, although he's still conscious. Suddenly, you see Tharnik fall, pulling some of the blockade away from the door.

Vaghn watches the men fail to break down the door and curses under his breath.

If you will allow me, gentlemen, I might be able to... ease... things.

So saying he draws a tiny oilcloth bag from a larger pouch on his belt and squeezes from it a drop of oil onto his fingers. At the same time he moves forward, muttering arcane phrases, and peers through the keyhole...

** spoiler omitted **

Your spell takes effect.

Everyone hears the clatter of wood as it collapses to the floor. A large thump rings out, followed by an audible "ughhhhhhh.....

Dortlin swore under his breath and then smashed in a pane of glass, making to undo the latch and let himself in. As he attempted to make his entrance, he bellowed in that gravelly monotone of his, "Get in here now!"

If he can get in Dortlin will do his best to get to Tharnik and attempt to beat him into unconsciousness with his sap. Here's hoping the pain Tharnik is experiencing is denying his dex bonus.

The sound of breaking glass can perhaps be heard from the blockaded room, followed by what is unmistakeable Dortlin's rough voice hollering at the top of his lungs, "get in here now!"

Dortlin pushed in through the broken window, trying his best to avoid the worst of the glass. Brandishing his sap, Dortlin paused to consider the situation he'd put himself into as Tharnik turned toward him, "ah crap...," he muttered. Still he remained undeterred as he hefted the small, but weighty, padded bludgeon and addressed the transforming half-orc, "Sorry, don't matter."

Opening Scene.. As the group busts through the door, with weapons drawn and ready, you see Tharnik, half transformed into some sort of hybrid wolf. Silver and white tuffs of hair sprout from his spine, forming a primitive mane that ends in a malformed tail. He shifts about, looking between the broken window - and Dortlin, who proceeds with a heavy-looking sap in hand - and your group.

As your group moves to enter the room, you see Tharnik growl, his glowing red eyes matching his temperament.

"Don't come near me. I'm not what you think I am." He shouts.

Then, with an awkward turn toward the moon, he yelps and stumbles back - obviously still in the midst of changing. He appears to be very much in pain.

"Nooooo....... this is not the way......" He says.

Broken glass, some of it still clinging to Dortlin's cut and bleeding body, lies about the room, creating a sparkling relief on the floor that shines almost maliciously. As you take in the scene, you can make out an overturned candle, sputtering not far from a drape.

On 21, Smith...
On 19, Kendra...
On 16, Tharnik....
On 15, Rendel and Creel....
On 14, Madeline...
On 13, Vaghn....
On 6, Dortlin....

Tactically, the room is relative small and you're all piled into the foyer around the door. link to the upstairs.. Dortlin is 5 feet between the south window and Tharnik, who is standing close to the desk (closer to the door). If combat breaks out, this will be extremely close-quarter combat.

Tharnik continues to thrash about, breaking objects and stumbling about. He's wrestling with something - and from the looks of him - something physical, as well. As he moves about, he edges away from both Dortlin and Smith, trying to keep several feet between himself and any others....

"It's not my fault... I didn't know...."

A few seconds later, you see Tharnik's eyes flash red, almost as if glowing with an infernal light, and he snarls.

"Get back! Leave me!! Bar the door and leave me!!!"

Kendra lets out a small gasp, obviously concerned.

Round 1, on 21 - Smith's action. I'm not going to map this out, by the way, because the room is really too small to try too much action in. We'll just play this by ear!

I think Smith's action was to put out the candle before it set the house on fire.

Good catch. I blame a failed Fort save vs. Too Much Turkey

Smith moves to the candle, edging around Tharnik, and snubs it out.

Kendra, unsure of what to do, steps out into the hall and mutters the words to a spell. A few seconds later, a shimmering field of translucent armor springs up around her. It is barely visible initially, and a second or so later, fades completely from view.

Tharnik edges further back into the corner, taking a swing at Dortlin as he does. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13. Dortlin, quick on his feet, springs backwards, avoiding the claw with relative ease.

In a clear, ringing voice full of much more authority than Vaghn usually displays (obviously his 'lecture' voice), he says "Do as Tharnik says; step away from him. For your own good." With that he once again begins to weave arcane word and gesture into a spell...

Spellcraft DC16:

Vaghn begins casting sleep. This will go off at the beginning of his next turn barring interruption.

Looking at the window they mashed adn the door they collided through Rendel's heart sinks. "I'm sorry Tharnik. I'm afraid we can't let you go now. Or you'll infect someone else." Steeling himself he shakes his head. "We're going to have to tie him down. If he gets loose in the countryside it'll be our fault."

Dortlin shot Tharnik a scowl that reflected a lifetime of casual violence and rather unceremoniously swung the weighty sap at the changing half-orc's head. Using whatever space his attack bought him, Dortlin tried to put a little more space between him and dangerous claws Tharnik seemed to have sprouted.

Hits AC 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4.

In the likely event (given the size of the room) that someone is in a flanking position or two of the other are threatening Tharnik (Gang Up feat) by Dortlin's turn add +2 to the attack and 1d6 ⇒ 2 to the damage.

Dortlin shot Tharnik a scowl that reflected a lifetime of casual violence and rather unceremoniously swung the weighty sap at the changing half-orc's head. Using whatever space his attack bought him, Dortlin tried to put a little more space between him and dangerous claws Tharnik seemed to have sprouted.

As Creel and Rendel move into position in the room, discussing Tharnik's fate. As they do, Smith, still in the corner, begins to move out at Madeline's command. A few seconds later Vaghn steps into the doorway and begins to cast a spell, filling the room with a strange scent that, for lack of a better term, reminds all of you of warm honey and soothing sounds.

Tharnik, noticing this, snaps his attention toward Vaghn and begins to move toward him. He shouts "I am no animal to be put down with your sorcery. We are allies! Why do you fight me!?!?!"

Then, if hit by some invisible pain, he gasps and grabs his head, nearly doubling over. Coming down on one knee, he cries out. Dortlin, not one to miss an opportunity, springs forward and brings his sap down on Tharnik's head. Tharnik cries out and spins up to face Dortlin.

Madeline:

You notice the bite on his leg, from the wolf attack, is red and inflamed.

Vaghn:

Tharnik is suffering from what you would call lesser afflicted lycanthropy, likely due to the bite he suffered in the wolf attack. You're sure more research into its nature would yield far more information.

Unsure of what the smell is Rendel decides that vaughn has a trick up his sleeve and backs up but only a little his arms outstretched to bar the way. "Easy Tharnik. If we don't get you secured becoming an animal will be exactly what happens. You're turning into a werewolf. If you don't let us help you we will put you down. Do you understand? There's more lives at stake then your own." Rendel's tone is cold and honest ensuring that this is the gentle approach as opposed to the much more deadly second option.